Smart Medicine Container

ABSTRACT

Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment. The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles. A docking station having receptacles to accommodate dispenser is provided. Docking station has communication ports enabling two-way communication with personal computer. The present invention also relates to a method of determining medication-medication interaction. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of determining medication side effect as being causative of a patient&#39;s clinical symptoms.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to medicine containers, more specificallyto a medicine container having storage, counting and dispensingcompartments and having an inbuilt pill dispensing apparatus havingmeans to automatically dispenses a prescribed quantity of medicine atprescribed times. According to another aspect, a pill recovery systemand apparatus is disposed inside the medicine container having means torecover pills remaining in the counting compartment of the medicinecontainer after completion of a dispensing cycle; and deposit recoveredpills back into the storage compartment of the medicine container to beused in future dispensation cycles.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

The advances in medicine are enhancing the quality and longevity ofhuman lives. Ailments, for which there were no effective treatmentsbefore, are now effectively treated by one or more drugs. In many cases,patients have to remember to take a dose of medicine at prescribedtimes. A number of ailments require treatment with one or morecombination of medicines. With most medicines (e.g., pills, syrups),doses have to be taken at specific intervals (every six hours) or atcertain times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening, before bed timeetc). A patient may have difficulty remembering to take medicine atrecommended times. Sometimes, patients have difficulty remembering thatthey have already taken a dose. Some patients have difficultyremembering the recommended dose of medicine to be taken, especially ifa medicine dose requires more than one pill of the same medicine. In amultiple drug regimen, such a scenario is even more convoluted and maypose grave consequences to the patient. This is especially true forpatients with inadequate skills or knowledge to follow a medicineregimen like elderly, disabled and cognitively impaired and patientswith psychiatric disorders (Levy R L et al, American Journal ofGastroenterology 1999; 94:1733-1742 & Nigro J. Journal of ClinicalGastroenterology 2001; 32:66-82). This segment of the population is themost vulnerable as their medicine regimen usually comprises of multiplemedicines, each with a different schedule and a different set ofinstructions. In addition, eyesight fade with age and reading labels ofmedicine containers can present a problem. Even young and alert patientsare sometimes overwhelmed by life, work, family and otherresponsibilities and forget to take their medicines. This is especiallyapparent with temporary treatments, such as antibiotics, where themedicine is only taken for a short period of time. In this case,patients are unable to generate a routine based around taking themedicine. The end result of the above situations is that the amount ofmedicine taken is either too low to affect the course of the ailment, oris too high and causes overdose reactions.

There are many studies that show that management of chronic diseases isunsatisfactory in spite of the great advances in medicine. Factors thathave been imp heated are 1) poor compliance with medicine regimenbecause patients forget to take their medicines 2) frequent need to gothe pharmacist for refills and education 3) need for frequent visit tothe health care professional's office to monitor the treatment responseand to make any required changes in medicine regimen 4) lack of adequatehealth education and inadequate reinforcement thereof 5) under or overdosing of medicine 6) altered dosing regimen 7) incorrect administrationof medicine (Kane S et al. Advanced Therapy for Inflammatory BowelDisease; 2002:9-11). Even more worrisome is the practice that patientsdo not inform physicians of their non compliance with medicine regimen.Physicians, in such a case, conclude that patient's condition is notresponding to the current medicine regimen and make changes in medicinedose, add or substitute another medicine. This results in unnecessarychanges in patient's medicine regimen which can be detrimental to thehealth of the patient. This practice also increases health care cost.

Medicines including pills, capsules, tablets, caplets and the like havetraditionally been packaged in bottles or other such containers cappedwith a variety of closure devices. The caps or closures for thesecontainers have taken a variety of forms and, more recently, haveincluded a key system, depress-and-turn system, or the like, designed toprevent small children from gaining access to the contents. Thesemedicine containers do not have features to assist patients remember totake their medicines or to record their compliance with a medicineregimen. There are many prior art attempts to address problems of thisnature which generally incorporate some type of a time, date or dosageindicating device on the cap or other part of the container whichinvolves a moveable pointer or other such device designed to beindicative of the status of medicine administration. These devicesgenerally involve the relative motion of a pointer, plate or otherindicator relative to a dial which is moved each time the medicinecontainer is used to indicate the fact that the medicine has been takenand/or the time when the next dose is due.

Systems including a pointer and dial indicator on the container cap areillustrated. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,422, Adams disclosed a devicesuitable as a closure cap for a medicine container. The device hasindicia circumferentially marked on the upper surface of the devicerepresenting the time for next taking the medicine in the container. Anarm rotatably and pivotably mounted in the center of the device is setto point at the time for next taking the medicine. The arm is releasablyretained in position by cooperating pegs and indentations on the uppersurface of the device and the underside of the rotatable arm. In U.S.Pat. No. 5,216,975, Bartholomew disclosed a combination medicinecontainer cap and indicator device adapted to function as the closure orcover for a medicine container or container. The device includes anindicator providing a visual indication for the user that a pill hasbeen or should be removed from the bottle for consumption. While theseapproaches are viable as long as they are properly used, the indicatingposition is easily altered and presents no reliable permanent record.

Various other devices include mechanical advancing systems thatcoordinate with the operation of the bottle cap. In U.S. Pat. No.4,753,189, Mastman et al, disclosed a medicine bottle unit having aclosure for indicating dosage and other information, which changesautomatically as the closure is rotated on the bottle of the unit. Theclosure includes an outer cap and an inner member within the cap. Thecap and inner member have co-operable indicia thereon. The inner membermoves with the cap as the cap is rotated in one direction on the bottle.However, the cap moves relative to the bottle and the inner member whenthe cap is rotated in the opposite direction on the bottle, thusassuring a change in the information represented by the indicia on thecap and the indicator on the inner member, or by indicia on the innermember visible through a hole in the cap. Several embodiments ofmedicine bottle unit are disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,010, Marshalldisclosed indicators and methods of indicating which are intendedprimarily for use with medicine containers. The devices typicallyindicate the number of doses of medicine ingested or remaining to betaken by a patient during a particular period. These devicesadditionally provide tactile assistance to patients in appropriatelyrepositioning the indicator arms and, when used correctly, may reducethe possibility of patient overdose by restricting improper attempts toadvance the indicator arm. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,045, Villa-Realdisclosed a color-coded, two-component medicament container comprising acap means with variously pre-set structural interval spacing betweeneach pair of preformed window system to differentiate a fixed three-hourtime interval cap from a four-hour interval cap, a six-hour timeinterval cap, an 8-hour time interval cap and from a unitary pre-formedwindow for a 12 or 24-hour time interval cap; each kind of cap to bespecifically used according to the prescribed frequency of drugadministration such as every 3-hour frequency, every 4-hour frequency,every 6-hour frequency, every 8-hour frequency and every 12 or 24-hourfrequency, respectively, as coordinated in a snug-fitting but csafetylock wisely rotatable engagement with a complementarily shapedcylindrical medicament container having csafety lock-like numeralindicia ranging from 1 to 12 and equidistantly arranged as in a csafetylock there around the supper circumferential exterior wall of the saidmedicament container is disclosed.

Both, use of the dial or pointer devices and operation of container cap,require manual dexterity and intact cognition. Moreover, with thesedevices, patients have to learn complex instruction each time a changeis made in medicine dose or frequency. Both these are problematic inelderly, disabled or in patients with cognitive impairment.

The need for a device that automatically dispenses the proper pill(s) inthe proper amount(s) at the proper time(s) each day and alerts the userto take the dispensed pill(s) is evident by the numerous devicesdescribed in the prior art. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,256, Tump disclosed adispensing assembly for dispensing a series of different pills over aprescribed period. The dispensing assembly is provided with an indicatorthat is adjustable to preset the start of the pill regiment on whateverday desired. The pill package and dispensing assembly are constructedand arranged so that after the indicator has been preset, the pillpackage can be fixedly positioned in the dispensing assembly with thefirst pill of the regimen in position to be taken by the user on thefirst pre selected day. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,589, Lim has disclosed adevice that can be loaded with appropriate pills and programmed toautomatically dispense the proper amount(s) and proper type(s) ofpill(s) at the proper time(s) each day. The device also includes asystem for alerting the pill taker that pills have been dispensed andneed to be taken, a system for providing voice messages to coach thepill taker to use the device and consume the pills, a system foralerting an off-site caregiver when the pill taker has not responded asrequired or when there is a problem with the operation of the device,and a system for an efficient and accurate loading of pills into thedevice.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,606 Lewis et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,651Scidmore et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,453 Luckstead and in U.S. Pat.No. 5,044,516 Hoar have described an automatic pill dispensing assemblythat has pill storage regulating wheels that are rotated constantly byelectric safety lock motors. The constantly rotating pill storageregulating wheel of these devices successively moves each pill storagecompartment of the regulating wheel into a temporary alignment with apill discharge outlet at a cyclical and fixed rime interval. When a pillstorage compartment is in alignment with the pill discharge outlet, anypill stored in the compartment will fall by gravity through the outletinto a pill receptacle. Automatic pill dispensing assemblies that do notemploy rotating wheels are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,763,810 to Christiansen shows a device that uses a series of pillstorage compartments that are arrayed in a checkerboard fashion and U.S.Pat. No. 4,798,309 to Stone et al shows a device that uses a series ofpill storage compartments that are spirally arranged on an elongatecylinder. Although these examples seem to be different, the basicoperating principle of all these dispensing assemblies, are nonethelesssimilar.

However, there are problems with the devices described in the prior art.These devices entail loading of individual pill storage compartments bythe pharmacist. This is a time consuming and manpower intensive processthat makes these devices costly and inefficient. None of these devicesprovide the ease and cost effectiveness of the present day throwawayplastic medicine containers where a bulk supply of medicaments can bedispensed at one time.

There have been many prior art attempts to incorporate a device into themedicine container that is able to record the opening and closures ofthe caps of the medicine containers. These prior arts have attempted touse the operation of the closure of medicine container as a surrogatemarker for compliance. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,650 Sagar has proposed amedicine-dispensing system that has a medicine reminder to assist thepatient in following a drug regimen. In an example embodiment, amedicine reminder comprises a timer programmable to a predeterminedinterval. A user-alert is responsive to the timer, reminding the user totake a dose of medicine at the predetermined interval. A sensor detectswhether the medicine container cap has been opened and a dose-indicationinforms the user of the time since the last dose. The dose indicationfurther informs the user as to whether to take a next medicine dose. Thetime of the last dose is determined by the timer receiving a signal fromthe sensor. A communications interface enables programming of aparameter associated with administering a medicine.

There are major disadvantages to the inventions that rely on medicinecontainer cap removal as a measure of compliance. Medicine containerswith cap allow access to the bulk medicine supply during each dispensingevent. Once the device recognizes the removal of the cap, any number ofdoses may be removed from the bottle without proper recognition, thusseriously compromising the device's ability to properly recordcompliance. Even more troublesome is the possibility that the cap devicemight not be reinstalled on the bottle; if not, the subsequent removalof medicines from the bottle go unmonitored.

In addition, the devices described in prior inventions share some commondrawbacks that include: 1) none of the prior art devices have theability to automatically count and dispense a prescribed quantity ofmedicine at prescribed times from a bulk supply within the medicinecontainer. 2) These devices do not provide any protection against abuseof prescription medicines. Once the closure is opened any number ofdoses can be removed. This is of particular concern with medicines thathave a high abuse potential such as morphine, 3) The prior art devicesdo not provide any protection against the consumption of medicines thathave expired. Medicines that are beyond then expiry date are associatedwith significant life threatening side effects. 4) They do not providesecurity features to prevent use by a person other than the intendedpatient. 5) Devices proposed by the prior inventions do not allow forremote medicine management. Whenever a change is made to a medicineregimen, a new prescription has to be filled and the medicine containerhas to be taken to the pharmacist for a change of label. The patient hasto learn new information regarding the new dosage regimen. These aremajor deterrents to continued compliance with pharmacotherapy forchronic medical conditions. 6) Prior art devices do not assist withcomprehensive disease management. Adequate disease management requiresfrequent monitoring of health related parameters to assess the efficacyof medicines. Studies have shown that frequent home based monitoring ofhealth parameters and subsequent prompt adjustment of treatment regimenssignificantly improves disease outcomes. At the present time, suchmonitoring, reporting and adjustment of medicine regimen requiresintensive participation by patients, including multiple visits to healthcare professional's office. Prior art devices do not provide a solutionto this problem. 7) The devices of prior inventions are cumbersome andexpensive to manufacture. None of the prior inventions have provided thenecessary reliability and inexpensive implementation to present itselfas a viable alternative to today's plastic throwaway medicinecontainers. The value of additional features suggested by the priorinventions, have not justified the added costs.

Some prior art devices provide limited solution to individual problemsfaced by patients, health care professionals and pharmacists in ensuringcompliance. However none of these devices have provided a comprehensiveone stop solution to manage the multiple complex problems that hinderpatient's compliance with a medicine regimen. Hence, while “childproof”construction has been mandated, to date there has been no other majoraddition to the conventional throw away plastic medicine containers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Present invention discloses a dispenser (smart medicine container)having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply ofpills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of firststorage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a dischargeport emptying into second counting compartment. The counting compartmentcontains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed;wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed therebyenabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharging pills intothird dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along theconveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pillrecovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser havingmeans to recover pills remaining on first and second conveyors uponcompletion of a dispensation cycle and there after deposit recoveredpills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensationcycles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a coronal section of the smart medicine container and showsthe pill dispensing assembly built into the medication container itself.

FIG. 1B shows the regulating wheel with two pill receptacles.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the smart medicine container showing theelectronic display unit, audio speakers, visual alarm and a plurality ofcontrol switches.

FIG. 3 shows the collecting conveyor with a ‘Y’ shaped pill organizerlocated above it.

FIG. 4 is a posterior view of the lower part of the smart medicinecontainer showing the communication ports and electrical inlet.

FIG. 5 is a coronal section of the lower part of the smart medicinecontainer showing the modem with wireless transceiver, communicationports and battery compartment with a battery.

FIG. 6 is a view of the bottom surface of the smart medicine containershowing the docking port, electrical port and the outlet door.

FIG. 7 is a transparent view of the cap of the smart medicine containershowing the printed circuit board, memory chip and universal safety lock

FIG. 8 is a posterior view of the sync cradle showing the dockingterminal, electrical terminal, communication ports and electrical inlet.

FIG. 9 shows an algorithm of the dispensation cycle of the smartmedicine container.

FIG. 10 shows an algorithm of the dispensation cycle of the smartmedicine container in relation to the consumption time.

FIG. 11 shows the communication network of the smart medicine container.

FIG. 12 shows the pill dispensing assembly of the present inventionadapted for use in the pharmaceutical industry, such as to fill multiplepill bottles with a fixed quantity of pills.

FIGS. 13A-E show the construction and operation of pill recoveryapparatus and system disposed inside the smart medicine container.

FIGS. 14A-C shows the construction and workings of docking station forsmart medicine container.

FIG. 15 shows an illustration of the medication side effect database.

FIG. 16 shows a first illustration of the medication side effectchecker.

FIG. 17 shows a second illustration of the medication side effectchecker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily beutilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods andsystems for carrying out one or several purposes of the presentinvention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded asincluding such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Medicine Container:

As shown in FIG. 1A, the present invention comprises of a smart medicinecontainer (10) that has an inbuilt pill dispensing assembly. Themedicine container in the preferred embodiment is elliptical in shapebut it may be of any convenient shape and size. It has threecompartments—storage compartment (11), counting compartment (12) anddispensing compartment (13) that is stacked on top of one another. Thestorage compartment (11) is located at the top and is ‘U’ or ‘V’ shaped.It has an aperture at the bottom to allow the passage of pills (121)into the counting compartment (12) which is guarded by a regulatingwheel (15). The pill dispensing assembly of the present invention has aninbuilt pill counting apparatus that provides the means to automaticallydispense a desired quantity of medicine at desired times from a bulksupply within the smart medicine container (10). The pill dispensingassembly comprises of a regulating wheel (15) will two pill receptacles(24), a collecting conveyor (16), a dispensing conveyor (17), motors topower the conveyors and the regulating wheel and a multitude ofphotoelectric sensors placed along the path of relay of the pills (121).A printed circuit board (71) present within the smart medicine containerregulates the operation of the entire pill dispensing assembly. Theregulating wheel (15) is powered by a motor (not shown) and has two pillreceptacles (24) placed at 180 degrees from each other (FIG. 1B). Itguards the aperture between the storage and counting compartments. Thepill receptacles (24) collect pills (121) when facing the storagecompartment (11) and discharge them onto the collecting conveyor (16)when facing the counting compartment (12). The regulating wheel (15)provides the means for a controlled and orderly discharge of pills (121)from the storage compartment onto the collecting conveyor (16) in thecounting compartment (12). The regulating wheel (15) also preventsmigration of pills (121) out of the storage compartment (11) when itremains idle. The counting compartment (12) is located in the middle andhas a collecting conveyor (16) on top, a dispensing conveyor (17) belowand photoelectric sensors (19&20) that line the path of relay of pills(121) along the conveyors. The collecting conveyer conveyor (16) has a‘Y’ shaped pill organizer (31) located above its surface, shown in FIG.3, which aligns the pills (121) in one column for an orderly dischargeonto the dispensing conveyer conveyor (17). In the preferred embodimentshown in FIG. 1A, the passageway from the collecting conveyer conveyor(16) to the dispensing conveyer conveyor (17) has photoelectric sensors(19), but any other suitable sensing instrument can be used. Thedispensing conveyor (17) collects pills (121) from the collectingconveyor (16) and discharges them into the dispensing compartment (13).The dispensing conveyor (17) again has a ‘Y’ shaped pill organizerlocated above its surface which aligns the pills (121) in one column foran orderly discharge into the dispensing compartment (13). In thepreferred embodiment, the passageway from the dispensing conveyerconveyor (17) to the dispensing compartment (13) has photoelectricsensors (20), but any other suitable sensing instrument may be used. Thecollecting and the dispensing conveyors move on two separate sets ofwheels (18A& 18B) that are powered by motors (not shown). In thepreferred embodiment, the speed of the dispensing conveyor (17) isgreater than of the collecting conveyor (16). The dispensing compartment(13) is located at the bottom and has an outlet door (22) through whichpills (121) is dispensed to the patient. The outlet door (22) has asensor (23) which captures its operation.

FIG. 2 shows the anterior aspect of the smart medicine container. Aplurality of control switches (28) are provided that can be used formultiple purposes, including but not limited to—1) as a keypad forcommand and data entry 2) to actuate display of compliance data andother information in different formats 3) as a keypad for operation ofthe universal safety lock (73). An audio speaker (27) and a visual alarm(26) are provided that is activated when a dose of medicine is ready tobe taken. FIG. 2 also shows an electronic display unit (25), which inthe preferred embodiment is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

FIGS. 4& 5 show the posterior and saggital views of the lower part ofthe smart medicine container respectively. A modem (51) and threecommunication ports (41) are provided which enable the smart medicinecontainer (10) to send and receive communication from external devicessuch as web server, personal computer etc. via telephone line, wirelessnetwork, internet, LAN or any other communication network. In thepreferred embodiment, the modem (51) also contains a wireless two-waytransceiver. Alternatively, the wireless transceiver can be presentseparately. Data can be transferred between the smart medicine container(10) and a computing device such as web server, pharmacy or physiciancomputer using the communication ports (41). A battery compartment (52)containing a battery (53) is provided which powers the smart medicinecontainer. In addition, an electrical inlet (42) is provided whichserves as an alternate source of power for the smart medicine container.

The smart medicine container (10) is covered on top by a cap (14) shownin FIG. 7. In the preferred embodiment, the cap (14) has a universalsafety lock (73) that is operable by a unique combination of numbers orany other user specific identifier that is entered using the controlswitches (28). Alternatively, the universal safety lock (73) can becoupled with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. Theuniversal safety lock (73) in this case is operable when the RFID readerreads an authorized RFID tag. Authorized users having an authorized RFIDtag will be able to operate the universal safety lock (73). The safetylock (73) adds a safety feature to the smart medicine container (10) andallows only authorized access to the contents thereof. The smartmedicine container (10) has an internal printed circuit board (71) and amemory chip (72) located in the cap (14). The electronic apparatus ofthe smart medicine container (10) is hardwired to the printed circuitboard (71) and memory chip (72). The printed circuit board (71) isprogrammed to execute various functions of the smart medicine container(10) including, but not limited to, data analysis, operational controlof electro-mechanical components, and external communication. The memorychip (72) stores operational data, information about the containedmedication and any other relevant patient information. The smartmedicine container (10) has an internal clock with a timer (not shown)which triggers the time sensitive functions of the smart medicinecontainer (10). The memory chip also records instances of user taking adispensed dose of medicine out of the smart medicine container winchserves as a surrogate data for patient compliance with prescribedmedication regimen.

Now turning our attention to FIGS. 13A-E; a pill recovery system andapparatus is disclosed. The pill recovery system and apparatus isdesigned to recover pills left on the collecting and dispensingconveyors after completion of a dispensation cycle. It comprises of arecovery cup (300) disposed in resting position, as shown in FIG. 13A,flush with a corresponding defect in storage compartment (304). Therecovery cup (300) is operatively connected by means of belt (302) to arecovery motor (303). The recovery motor (303) is disposed at the bottomof the smart medicine container as shown in FIGS. 13A-E. Storagecompartment has a defect (304) corresponding to recovery cup (300) thataccommodates the recovery cup (300) in resting position. The recoverycup (300) is reversibly movable from first resting position, as in FIG.13A, to second recovery position, as in FIG. 13C, just below the outletend of the dispensing conveyor (17). The recovery cup (300), while intransit between resting and recovery positions, is inclined outwardsfrom the counting compartment such that it prevents pills contained inthe recovery cup from falling into the counting compartment; as is shownin FIGS. 13B & 13D. In resting position, the recovery cup (300) isinclined such that it is inclined towards the center of gravity of thestorage compartment and thereby deposits pills contained therein intothe storage compartment; as is shown in FIGS. 13A & 13E. The oppositeinclination of the recovery cup (300) between resting andrecovery/transit positions is achieved by means of varying length of thegrooves (301) that holds the recovery cup (300) in position within thesmart medicine container; as shown in FIGS. 13A-E. A vertical plateseparates the recovery plate from the counting compartment. Althoughrecovery system in the preferred embodiment comprises of a recovery cup,other contraptions such as a recovery box, recovery plate etc. may aswell be used with similar end result. Similarly the recovery motor maybe placed at a different location while achieving the same end result.The configuration and relative placement of the components of therecovery system and apparatus should not be considered limiting.

Now referring to FIG. 6, a docking port (21A) and an electrical port(21B) are provided on the bottom of the smart medicine container (10).It also houses the outlet door (22). FIG. 8 shows a ‘sync cradle’ (80)with a docking terminal (81) and an electrical terminal (82) that areadapted for operative engagement with the docking port (21A) andelectrical port (21B) of the smart medicine container. Threecommunication ports (83) are also provided. The docking port (21A) alongwith the docking terminal (81) and communication ports (83) enable thesmart medicine container (10), while it is sits in the sync cradle, tocommunicate with external communication devices. An electrical inlet(84) is provided which, along with electrical terminal (82) andelectrical port (21B) powers the smart medicine container during thetime it sits in the sync cradle (80). The sync cradle (80) is providedas an optional gadget that would help reduce the size and weight of thesmart medicine container (10) and improve its portability. It alsoprovides a more convenient way to transfer data between the smartmedicine container (10) and other computing devices such as a pharmacyor physician computer. Now let us turn our attention to FIGS. 14A-Cwhere construction and operation of an alternate embodiment of the ‘synccradle’—the ‘docking station’ (140) for smart medicine container (10) isdescribed. The docking station (140) is made of plastic of any othersuitable material and comprises of receptacles of a size to accommodatethe bottom of the smart medicine container (10). The docking station(140) can be made in multiple configurations; one unit, two units, fourunits, and six units etc. The basic design is the same for all, withdifferences in sizes and the internal USB hub board. The case consistsof a contoured top and flat bottom The top is shaped to accept the smartmedicine container (10) unit. An off-centered protrusion insures theunit is placed into the docking station (140) correctly. Half roundprotrusions (142) on each side of the recessed area insure properengagement with the smart medicine container (10) unit which will alsoinsure proper contact with the USB unit (141) to docking stationconnections (21A & 21B in FIG. 6). There is an opening along one sidefor a standard USB port (145). The bottom plate of the docking station(140) has four feet. At the heart of the docking station (140) is aprinted circuit board that is the USB board. This board is a USB hubthat also converts the standard USB connector to a flat contactconnector that people are used to seeing on phone charging stations.

Operation:

According to one aspect of the present invention, a smart medicinecontainer (10) is connected to the pharmacy computer using thecommunication ports (41). Alternatively, it can be connected to thepharmacy computer by placing it in the docking station (14) that isconnected to the pharmacy computer. The smart medicine container (10)can also communicate with the pharmacy computer wirelessly using thewireless transceiver. Pharmacist enters the medicine data into pharmacycomputer including medicine name, strength, dose, frequency, physicianinformation, authorized refills, expiration date and other relevantinformation. The pharmacist also enters the time the first dose is to bedispensed and time from which automatic dispensation will commence. Thepharmacist can have pre programmed time regimen for variousadministration schedules. For example QID regimen (four times a day) maymean that the medicine is to be taken at 8 A M, 12 PM, 4 PM and 8 PMeveryday or it may mean that the medicine is to be taken at 7 AM, 11 AM,3 PM and 7 PM everyday. Pharmacies can have their own time regimen,there can be a universal time regimen or there can be a time regimencustomized according to patient's preference and habits. Additionaldata, like patient's allergies, drug to drug and drug to foodinteractions, medicine adverse/side effect can be entered. Thisinformation is transferred into the smart medicine container and storedin the memory chip (72) and displayed on the electronic display unit(25) of the smart medicine container (10). In effect, the electronicdisplay unit (25) replaces the paper label of conventional medicinecontainers. Additionally, space may be provided in the back of the smartmedicine container to apply traditional paper labels that we areaccustomed to seeing on the plastic medicine containers. However, it isto be appreciated that the electronic display unit (25) provides a moredynamic, comprehensive and interactive platform to access informationabout the contained medicine. A short vide/audio clip containingprescription instruction, medication information, and related diseaseinformation is also preferably loaded into the internal memory of thesmart medicine container. This can be done either at pharmacy where theprescription is filled or from a central server via the internet. Thisinformation is played back to the patient at predetermined intervals orwhen a medication dose is due to be taken. This acts to reinforcepatient education about their medication regiment, disease condition andthe importance of compliance. The printed circuit board (71) uses theentered information to regulate the dispensation of medicine and toperform other functions of the smart medicine container (10). It alsouses this information to analyze and report patient's compliance with amedicine regimen. Using tins system, the pharmacist has no additionalresponsibility besides his/her normal customary responsibility to enterpertinent medicine information in the pharmacy computer system, whichthen automatically programs the smart medicine container (10) with thesame information.

FIG. 9 shows an algorithm that guides the pill dispensing assembly ofthe smart medicine container (10). Once the predetermined time todispense medicine arrives, the regulating wheel is activated. The pillreceptacles (24) of the regulating wheel (15) collect pills (121) fromthe storage compartment (11) and dispense them onto a moving collectingconveyor (16). The speed of the collecting conveyor (16) is greater thanthe rotational speed of the regulating wheel (15), which amplifies thepill separation provided by the regulating wheel (15). As the pills(121) fall off from the collecting conveyor (16) they are counted byphotoelectric sensors (19), which relays the data to the printed circuitboard (71). Once the printed circuit board (71) senses that desirednumber of pills (121) have been dispensed, it stops the regulating wheel(15). The collecting conveyor (16) transfers the pills (121) onto amoving dispensing conveyor (17). The dispensing conveyor (17) moves at agreater speed than the collecting conveyor which further amplifies thepill separation achieved so far. The dispensing conveyor (17) transfersthe pills (121) into the dispensing compartment (13). The photoelectricsensors (20) count the pills (121) as they fall from the dispensingconveyor (17) into the dispensing compartment (13) and relay this datato the printed circuit board (71) and memory chip (72). The dispensingconveyor (17) stops once the printed circuit board (71) signals thatprescribed quantity of pills (121) have been dispensed into thedispensing compartment (13). In effect, the entire pill dispensingassembly of the smart medicine container is inactivated at this time.

As shown in FIGS. 13A-E; once desired number of pills have beendispensed into the dispensing compartment at the end of a dispensationcycle; the recovery motor (303) moves the recovery cup (300) fromresting position; as shown in FIG. 13A; to recovery position just belowthe outlet end of the dispensing conveyor (17); as shown in FIGS. 13B &13C. There after, the collecting and dispensing conveyors move onecomplete cycle respectively to deposit pills remaining thereon into therecovery cup (300). The recovery motor (303) then moves the recovery cup(300) from recovery position: as shown in FIG. 13C upwards to restingposition flush with the corresponding defect in the storage compartment(304): as shown in FIGS. 13D-E. During transit from the recoveryposition to resting position, the recovery cup (300) is inclinedoutwards from the counting compartment such that it prevents pillscontained therein from falling into the counting compartment; as shownin FIGS. 13C-E. Once flush with the defect in the storage compartment(304) in resting position as in FIG. 13E, the recovery cup (300) isinclined inwards towards the storage compartment such that pillscontained in the recovery cup (300) is deposited into the storagecompartment by virtue of gravity. The pill recovery system and apparatusin essence recovers pills remaining on the collecting and dispensingconveyors after completion of a dispensation cycle and deposits therecovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in futuredispensation cycles. This not only utilizes all pills in the smartmedicine container for dispensation to the patient; but also keeps thecollecting and dispensing conveyors free of pills between thedispensation cycles; improving the portability of the dispenser.

The time when a medicine dose is dispensed into the dispensingcompartment (13) is recorded as the ‘dispensation time’ and serves as ameasure of reliability of the smart medicine container (10). Tirereliability data is relayed to the printed circuit board (71) and memorychip (72) and can be viewed by an authorized user on the electronicdisplay unit (25) or it can be downloaded to a computer and viewed. Thereliability data is also relayed to and stored in a web server and canbe accessed by authorized users. The smart medicine container (10) givesan audio and/visual alarm (26) to alert the patient that a medicine doseis dispensed and ready to be taken. In addition, after a reasonable waittime after the actual due time, the smart medicine container sends aremote reminder to patient or caregiver by phone, fax, pager, cellularphone, internet or any other communication device preferred by thepatient using the communications platform provided therein. The patientcan turn off the alarm using a control switch (28). The alarm feature ofthe smart medicine container can also be turned off for a period of timeusing a control switch (28). This is useful when patients may not wantto be disturbed by the alarm such as when they are asleep.

Once a medicine dose is dispensed, the outlet door (22) is unlocked.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13A, instead of a door, a dispensing cup(22) coupled to a photoelectric sensor is provided. The patient can openthe door/withdraw the dispensing cup and can take his/her medicine. Thetime of opening of the outlet door (22)/operation of the dispensing cup(22) is recorded as ‘consumption time ’ by the sensor (23) and stored inthe memory chip. This data is useful in determining patient compliancewith a medicine regimen. This mechanism allows passive recording ofcompliance data as opposed to active recording wherein patients arerequired to manually operate a switch to indicate medicine consumption.The compliance data is saved in the memory chip (72) and can be viewedby an authorized user on the electronic display unit (25) or it can berelayed to a personal computer and viewed by authorized users. Thecompliance data is also relayed to and stored in a central server andcan be accessed by authorized users.

The electronic apparatus of the medicine container remains disableduntil the outlet door (22) is opened and then closed. Tins ensures thatanother dose of medicine is not dispensed until the previous dose hasbeen consumed. Consumption time is also used as a reference for tuningthe next dose. As shown in FIG. 10, for medicines that are to be takenat fixed hourly intervals, like every six horns, the next dose isdispensed at the prescribed interval from the consumption time. In caseof medicines that are to be taken at certain times of the day, like fourtimes a day, the next cycle starts according to a pre programmedalgorithm. In the illustrated example of four times a day, if theconsumption time is within 2 hours of a scheduled time, the dose due atthat scheduled time is skipped and the dispensing cycle starts from thescheduled time thereafter. Otherwise, the dispensing cycle starts fromthe scheduled time following the consumption time. This is consistentwith the current practice guidelines. Similarly, algorithms for otherdosing schedules can be made according to accepted guidelines.

The smart medicine container (10) provides multiple unique safetyfeatures 1) the cap (14) of the storage compartment has a universalsafety lock (73), which in the preferred embodiment is operable by aunique user identifier such as a unique password, RFID, fingerprintscan, retinal scan etc. It allows only authorized access to the contentsof the storage compartment of the smart medicine container (10). Theuniversal safety lock (73) is connected to the internal clock and can beused for other useful purposes. The universal lock (73) can beprogrammed to remain open only during the time when a medicine dose isprescribed to be taken. It can also be programmed to automatically lockirreversibly once the contained medicament is past its expiration date.2) The pill dispensing assembly of the smart medicine containerautomatically dispenses a prescribed quantity of medicine at desiredtimes. In addition, the pill dispensing assembly remains inactive untilthe previously dispensed dose has been removed from the medicinecontainer. These features allow access to only one prescribed dose of amedicine at any given time and that too, only when it is time to take adose. This prevents overdose. In addition, the smart medicine containeris programmed to disable the pill dispensing assembly if the containedmedicine is past its expiration date. This feature prevents patientsfrom consuming medicines that have expired. According to one method,medication expiration date is entered into the smart medicine containerat the time a prescription is filled at the pharmacy. The Smart MedicineContainer is then programmed to disable the internal circuitry at thetime of medication expiration. According to another method, medicationexpiration date is entered into a central server in communication linkwith smart medicine container. The central server is programmed tocommunicate a ‘kill signal’ to the smart medicine container at the timeof expiration of the medicine. 3) The outlet door (22) has a lock thatremains locked from the time it is closed until the time a medicine doseis dispensed. Additionally the outlet door lock may be made operable byunique patient identifier such as a unique password, RFID, fingerprintscan, retinal scan etc. This prevents patients from consuming more thanprescribed dose of a medicine. In addition, the smart medicine containeris programmed to lock the outlet door irreversibly if the medicine inthe smart medicine container (10) is past its expiration date. Thisfeature of the smart medicine container prevents patients from gainingaccess to an expired medicine. According to another embodiment of thepresent invention, the outlet door can have a lock that is coupled witha radiofrequency (RFID) reader. Access to the contents of the smartmedicine container can be limited to authorized users with acorresponding RFID tag. According to yet another aspect, access to thestorage compartment is restricted only to pharmacist/physician by meansof the universal safety lock with a unique password known only toauthorized users: and patient is allowed access only to the medicine inthe dispensing compartment only at time when a medicine dose has beendispensed and due to be taken. This feature prevents misuse anddiversion of medications such as opioid narcotics. Patient access to theoutlet door/dispensing cup is restricted at other times by means of asafety lock that remains in engaged position at all times except when amedicine dose has been dispensed and due to be taken.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the lockingapparatus containing a RFID reader can be used for other applications inthe pharmaceutical industry. For example, medicine dispensing units usedin hospitals can have a lock coupled with a RFID reader. This lock isoperable when the RFID reader reads an authorized RFID tag. AuthorizedRFID tags are given only to authorized users. According to anotheraspect of the present invention, RFID reader can be coupled with anylocking apparatus. The locking apparatus is made operable when the RFIDreader of the locking apparatus reads an authorized RFID tag. It is tobe appreciated that this feature of the present invention makes theoperation of any such locking apparatus fast, secure and user friendly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a modem (51) andthree communication ports (41) are provided in the smart medicinecontainer (10). In the preferred embodiment, the modem (51) also has atwo-way wireless transceiver. As shown in FIG. 11, the smart medicinecontainer has means to communicate with external devices includingcommunication devices such as personal computer; and medical devices;either by wired connection or by wireless connection. It can communicatewith remote parties like physicians via external communication devicessuch as phone (110), pager (113), fax (112), cellular phone (111),computer (115), web server (114) and the like using phone line, wirelessnetwork, internet, LAN or any other communication network. The smartmedicine container (10) is also able to communicate with appropriatelyconfigured medical devices such as glucose meter (116), blood pressuremonitor, coagulation monitor and the like. Alternatively the smartmedicine container is programmed to communication with a remote webserver and a server application enables two-way communication betweenweb server and external devices.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a multitude ofsmart medicine containers (10) are in communication link with a webserver to form a network. The communication link between the web serverand the smart medicine containers may be wireless or wired. Preferablythe communication link comprises of smart medicine container unit incommunication link with personal computer which in turn is incommunication link with web server. Each smart medicine container (10)has a unique identifier that is readable by the web server. In thepreferred embodiment, the unique identifier is a smart medicinecontainer unit specific number stored in corresponding memory chip (72).The web server has access to data from all smart medicine containers inits network. The server synchronizes with the smart medicationcontainers in its network at frequent intervals to keep the dataupdated. Synchronization is preferably actuated when the smart medicinecontainer is resting in the docking station and connected to an internetenabled personal computer; or it can be done on a stand alone basis byeach smart medicine container unit by direct wireless/wiredcommunication link with the web server. This has many practicalapplications—1) The server compiles and stores patient compliance dataand/or smart medicine container reliability data from the smart medicinecontainers within its network; 2) The web server stores the medicineinventory data for individual smart medicine containers within itsnetwork; 3) The web server serves as a nodal point for communicationbetween the smart medicine container and remote parties like health careproviders, enabling them to access patient compliance data and remotelycontrol the functions of the smart medicine container; 4) The web serverstores back up data for the smart medicine containers within itsnetwork; 5) The web server remotely uploads, edits and actuates thefirmware loaded into the printed circuit board (71) and/or edit theinformation contained in the memory chip of the smart medicinecontainers (10) within its network and thereby, remotely controls thefunctions of the smart medicine container (10). These features have manypractical applications some of which are discussed below.

1) Remote Medicine Management: The smart medicine container (10) sendsremote reminders to patient or their caregiver when a medicine dose isready to be taken. The smart medicine container (10) receivesinstructions remotely from health care professionals via communicationsnetwork described above; and the printed circuit board of thecorresponding smart medicine container accordingly initiates, modifiesor discontinues a medicine regimen. It is to be appreciated that patienthas no additional learning to do when these changes are made as thesmart medicine container (10) automatically dispenses medicine accordingto the new dispensing instructions. The changes and the new instructionsare displayed on the electronic display unit (25) or played in audiousing the speakers (27). It is also to be appreciated that patient doesnot need to go to a health care professional or pharmacist for thesechanges to be made or to be educated about their new medicine regimen.Similarly, the smart medicine container (10) sends an automatic reminderto the pharmacist when refills are due. These features are of particularbenefit to the elderly as they frequently have trouble learning newinformation and are commonly unable to drive.

2) Health Education: Health information is uploaded into the memory chip(72) at the time a prescription is filled or it can be uploaded remotelyvia the communications network described above. Patients view thisinformation on the electronic display unit (25) or it can be played inaudio using the speakers (27). The strategic timing of providing healthinformation at the time of consumption of medicines provides a powerfullearning tool and results in improved and lasting retention of the giveninformation. It is also to be appreciated that the smart medicinecontainer provides a dynamic, interactive and flexible platform forhealth education wherein different messages can be displayed atdifferent times and in different formats.

3) Disease Management: The communications network enables the smartmedicine container (10) to communicate with other appropriatelyconfigured peripheral medical devices such as blood pressure monitor,glucose meter, coagulation meter and the like. The printed circuit boardis preferably pre programmed with instructions on changes to be madebased on information received from medical devices; and is furtherprogrammed to initiate, change or discontinue a medicine regimen basedon information received from the medical devices. The smart medicinecontainer is preferably pre programmed at the time of filling aprescription at pharmacy or alternatively is programmed remotely via itscommunications network. According to another method, data obtained fromperipheral medical devices is communicated to a health care professionalwho is them able to remotely change a medicine regimen using thecommunications network of the smart medicine container. It is evidentfrom the foregoing discussion that the smart medicine container (10) canplay an important role in comprehensive disease management and improveclinical outcomes. This unique feature of the present invention alsoreduces the need for a patient to go to physician's office and reducesor eliminates home visits by nurses for medication management.

4) Epidemic Control: A multitude of smart medicine containers (10) arein communication link with remote web server and form a network. The webserver stores medicine regimen data saved in all smart medicinecontainers (10) within the network. In the event of an epidemic, the webserver sends a command to all smart medicine containers (10) in itsnetwork containing effective medicine against the epidemic, instructingthe pill dispensing assembly therein to dispense prescribed doses andalert the patient. In addition, the web server sends information aboutthe epidemic to all smart medicine containers (10) within the network.This information is displayed on the electronic display unit (25) orplayed in audio using the speakers (27). It is to be appreciated fromthe foregoing discussion that the smart medicine container (10) can be apowerful tool in controlling an epidemic by 1) instantly dispensingeffective medicines to a large number of at risk patients; and 2)quickly disseminating information about the epidemic, includingpreventive measures, to a large number of people.

5) Medicine Recall: Medicines are sometimes recalled from the marketbased on newly discovered adverse effects. A multitude of smart medicinecontainers (10) are in communication link with remote web server andform a network. The web server stores medicine regimen data saved in allsmart medicine containers (10) within the network. In die event of amedicine recall, the web server instructs all smart medicine containerswithin the network containing the recalled medicament to immediatelystop dispensing the said medicament. The web server also instructs thesmart medicine containers in its network to display the recallinformation on their electronic display units. It is evident from theabove discussion that the smart medicine container enables a quick, safeand extremely cost effective method to withdraw a medicine from themarket.

6) Web Based Medicine Inventory Management System: This feature providesa dynamic inventory status of the smart medicine containers within anetwork and can be helpful in inventory management and product tracking.A multitude of smart medicine containers (10) are in communication linkwith remote web server and form a network. The web server storesmedicine regimen data saved in all smart medicine containers (10) withinthe network. A pharmacy can review the inventory of all smart medicationcontainers within its network and quickly assess the demand for variousmedicines based on the remaining refills. It can then accordingly stockits inventory and update its supply chain.

7) Web Based Compliance Monitoring System: A multitude of smart medicinecontainers (10) are in communication link with remote web server andform a network. The web server has access to and stores medicinecompliance data saved in all smart medicine containers (10) within thenetwork. Patient compliance data is communicated by smart medicinecontainer to corresponding web server using the communication networkdescribed above. Patient compliance data stored in the web server isthen made accessible to authorized users such as physicians, care giversand pharmacists. The web server stores compliance data from all smartmedicine containers in its network. In addition, an interactive web siteand intelligent application software capable of data analysis canprovide a comprehensive solution in dose administration of non complaintpatients. This data can also be helpful to researchers in studying,among other things, epidemiology of diseases and patient behaviorpatterns.

8) Medication Interaction Checker: A multitude of smart medicinecontainers are in communication link with a central server. Smartmedicine containers belonging to a patient is registered into apatient's individual account in the central server. The smart medicinecontainer is programmed to transmit medication information to thecentral server. Information about various medication interactions issaved in the central server. Many third party applications exist thatprovide drug-drug interaction information which can be saved in thecentral server. Alternatively, drug-drug interaction database andapplication can be developed natively on the central server. Anexecutable computer program is installed in the central server thatchecks for drug-drug interaction for medicines contained in a patient'saccount in the central server. Any potential adverse interaction iscommunicated to corresponding smart medicine container unit anddisplayed on the corresponding LCD screen. Preferably any such alert isalso communicated to patient's caregiver and health care provider byemail, phone call, SMS or by any other communication means. Drug-druginteraction application can also be accessed on a web site correspondingto the smart medicine container. Preferably, the drug-drug interactionis determined every time smart medication container information issynced with the central server. Although drug-drug interaction isdescribed, drug-food interaction and any similar interactions can beaccomplished using the principles of the disclosure.

9) Medication Side Effect Calculator: A multitude of smart medicinecontainers are in communication link with the central server. Smartmedicine containers belonging to a patient is registered into patient'sindividual account in the central server. The smart medicine containeris programmed to transmit medication information to the central server.Input means is provided for patient to enter any clinical symptom thatthe patient may be having into patients account in central server. Asshown in FIG. 15, information about side effects of various medicationsis saved in the central server (150). Side effect information datacontains the incidence of various side effects of each medication (151)and an ‘association coefficient’ (152) for each side effect of eachmedicine. The ‘association coefficient’ (152) is a mathematicalexpression of the strength of association of each side effect tocorresponding medication. An executable computer program is installed inthe central server that computes the probability of a patient's clinicalsymptom being attributable to patient's medications. According to onemethod, as shown in FIG. 16, the executable program adds the incidenceof a side effect (151) experienced by the patient for all of patient'smedications and gives an average cumulative probability (161) of theside effect being attributable to patient's medications. According tothis method, also shown in FIG. 16, the executable program also plotsthe probability of each medicine as being causative of a patient'ssymptoms, such probability determined by the incidence of said sideeffect for each of patient's medications. (162) In the illustratedexample of FIG. 16, if a patient taking medicines 1, 2 &3 complains ofnausea, the program determines that the incidence of nausea (160) asside effect for medicines 1, 2, & 3 is 5% each, and adds theseincidences (5%+5%+5%) to determine a cumulative average probability ofnausea being attributable to side effect from patient's medications tobe 15% (161). The program also determines the individual medicationprobability (162) for each of patient's medications as being causativeof patient's nausea according to the incidence of nausea as side effectof each medicine. The individual medication probability helps physiciansdetermine which medicine to stop first in the event of a medication sideeffect. According to second method, as shown in FIG. 17, an executableprogram is installed in the central server that multiplies the incidenceof a side effect (151) for all of patient's medications by correspondingassociation coefficient (152) and gives a ‘weighted cumulativeprobability’ (171) of the side effect (patient's symptoms) beingattributable to patient's medications. According to this method, alsoshown in FIG. 17, the executable program also plots the probability ofeach medicine as being causative of a patient's symptoms, such‘individual medication weighted probability’ (172) determined by theincidence of said side effect for each of patient's medications (151)multiplied by the corresponding ‘association coefficient’ (152). In theillustrated example of FIG. 17, if a patient taking medicines 1, 2 & 3complains of nausea, the program determines that die incidence of nausea(160) as side effect for medicines 1, 2, & 3 is 5% each, andcorresponding ‘association coefficients’ are 1, 2 & 4. The program thenmultiples incidence (151) of nausea as side effect for each medicinewith corresponding ‘association coefficient’ (152) and adds these[(5%×1)+ (5%×2)+ (5%×4)] to determine a ‘weighted cumulativeprobability’ (171) of nausea being attributable to side effect frompatient's medications to be 35% (171). This essentially means that theprobability of patient's nausea happening from side effect to patient'smedication is 35%. The program also determines the ‘individualmedication weighted probability’ (172) for each of patient's medicationsas being causative of patient's nausea according to the ‘incidence’(151) of nausea as side effect of each medicine× corresponding‘association coefficient’ (152). The ‘weighted individual medicineprobability’ (172) helps physicians determine which medicine to stopfirst in the event of a medication side effect; which in the illustratedexample in FIG. 17 would be medicine 3. This provides a powerfulclinical tool in determining if a patient's symptom is attributable tomedication side effect; and in determining the probability of each ofpatient's medications causing a clinical symptom; thereby assistingphysicians in determining which medications to discontinue. Themedication side effect probability information is then transmitted tocorresponding smart medicine container units and displayed on thecorresponding LCD screen. Preferably any such alert is also communicatedto patient's caregiver and health care provider by email, phone call,SMS or by any other communication means. Medication side effect checkercan also be accessed on a web site corresponding to the smart medicinecontainer.

Pill bridging is a major problem with any pill dispensing assembly. Thepresent invention has multiple unique features that prevent pillbridging. The first layer of protection is provided by the ‘U’ or ‘V’shaped storage compartment (11) with a regulating wheel (15) with pillreceptacles (24) guarding its outlet. This assembly enables an orderlyand controlled discharge of pills (121) from the storage compartmentonto the collecting conveyor (16). The use of gravitational force todischarge pills (121) from the pill receptacles of the regulating wheelonto the collecting conveyor (16) provides the second layer ofprotection against pill bridging. Even if multiple pills (121) arepresent in the receptacle, each is discharged at a different instance,thus providing pill separation. The collecting conveyor (16) moves at afaster speed than the rotational speed of the regulating wheel (15)which provides the third layer of protection against pill bridging. Itamplifies the pill separation provided during discharge of pills (121)from the regulating wheel (15). The pills (121) are then discharged ontothe dispensing conveyor (17). The separation of pills (121) at thisstage is further amplified by moving the dispensing conveyor (17) at afaster speed than the collecting conveyor (16). This provides the fourthlayer of protection against pill bridging. We believe that these fourlayers of protection provide a very reliable mechanism to prevent pillbridging and allow for an accurate dispensation of prescribed quantityof medicine.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the pilldispensing assembly can be adapted for use in the pharmaceuticalindustry to dispense a desired quantity of medicine, such as to fill aprescription at the pharmacy or to fill multiple medicine bottles with afixed number of pills. This aspect of the present invention is shown inFIG. 12. The pill dispensing assembly is placed in housing (120) whichhas a storage tank (122) on top, dispensing assembly in the middle andan outlet bay at the bottom Pills (121) are conveyed into the storagetank (122) using an appropriate mechanical assembly, which in thepreferred embodiment is a tube (131). The outlet from the storage tank(122) into the dispensing assembly is guarded by a regulating wheel withtwo receptacles (123). The outlet door (133) at the bottom of thehousing is coupled with a pill bottle (132). The dispensing assemblycomprises of a collecting conveyor (124) and a dispensing conveyor (125)that move on two separate sets of wheels (126&127). Photoelectricsensors (128&129) are provided along the path of relay of pills betweenthe collecting conveyor (124) and the dispensing conveyor (125) andbetween the dispensing conveyor (125) and the outlet bay. Aphotoelectric sensor (130) is also provided at the outlet door (133)which is activated when the pill bottle (132) is removed from the outletdoor (133). A separate control unit housing a processor, memory chip anda plurality of control switches is provided (not shown). Once thecommand to dispense pills is given, the dispensing conveyor (125) isactivated. This ensures that any remaining pill on the dispensingconveyor (125) from previous cycle is dispensed before a fresh batch isreleased from the storage tank (122). The dispensing conveyor (125)stops if desired number of pills (121) is dispensed before completion ofone cycle. If die desired number of pills (121) is not dispensed withinthe first cycle, the remainder of the pill dispensing assemblycomprising of the regulating wheel (123) and collecting conveyor (124)is activated. The pill receptacles of the regulating wheel (123) collectpills (121) from the storage tank (122) and dispense them onto a movingcollecting conveyor (124). The speed of the collecting conveyor (124) isgreater than the rotational speed of the regulating wheel (123) whichamplifies the pill separation provided by the regulating wheel (123). Asthe pills (121) fall from the collecting conveyor (124) onto thedispensing conveyor (125), they are counted by photoelectric sensors(128), which relay this data to the processor and memory chip. Once theprocessor senses that desired number of pills (121) have been dispensed,it stops the regulating wheel (123) and the collecting conveyor (124).The collecting conveyor (124) transfers the pills (121) onto a movingdispensing conveyor (125). The dispensing conveyor (125) moves at agreater speed than the collecting conveyor (124) winch further amplifiesthe pill separation achieved so far. The dispensing conveyor (125)transfers the pills (121) into the outlet bay. The photoelectric sensors(129) count the pills (121) as they fall from the dispensing conveyor(125) into the outlet bay and relay this data to the processor andmemory chip in the control unit. The dispensing conveyor (125) stopsonce the processor signals that desired quantity of pills (121) havebeen dispensed. In effect, the entire pill dispensing assembly of thesmart medicine container is inactivated at this time. Alternatively, insituations where a fixed number of pills is to be dispensed in multiplepill bottles, the filled pill bottle (132) is replaced by an empty pillbottle at the outlet door (133). The removal of the pill bottle (132)from the outlet door (133) is captured by a photoelectric sensor (130),which relays this information to the processor which keeps a count ofthe number of pill bottles that have been removed The replacement ofpill bottles at the outlet door (133) can be done manually or can bedone automatically using a conveyor assembly. The pill recovery systemand apparatus discussed in preceding paragraphs can also be applied tothis alternate embodiment of the invention.

Now let us turn our attention to FIGS. 14A-C where construction andoperation of the docking station (140) for smart medicine container (10)is described. The docking station (140) is made of plastic of any othersuitable material and comprises of receptacles of a size to accommodatesmart medicine container (10) unit. The docking station (140) can bemade in multiple configurations; one unit, two units, four units, andsix units etc. The basic design is the same for all, with differences insizes and the internal USB hub board. The case consists of a contouredtop and flat bottom. The top is shaped to accept the smart medicinecontainer (10) unit. An off-centered protrusion insures the unit isplaced into the docking station (140) correctly. Half round protrusions(142) on each side of the recessed area insure proper engagement withthe smart medicine container (10) unit which will also insure propercontact with the USB unit (141) to docking station (140) connection.There is an opening along one side for a standard USB port (145). Thebottom plate of the docking station (140) has four feet. At the heart ofthe docking station (140) is a printed circuit board that is the USBboard. This board is a USB hub that also converts the standard USBconnector to a flat contact connector that people are used to seeing onphone charging stations. The board will transfer signals to and from thepersonal computer as well as provide power to each smart medicinecontainer (10) unit for operation and charging. If a PC is not beingutilized, a USB to AC plug adapter can be used at the end of the USBcable instead. Operationally, when a smart medicine container (10) unitis positioned in the docking station (140), patient compliance datastored in the internal memory of the smart medicine container unit istransmitted to an application in the personal computer; wherefrom it ispreferably transmitted for storage to a remote web server. Authorizedusers can access patient compliance data from the remote web serverusing an internet enabled communication device. Any updates to thefirmware application in the smart medicine container are downloaded fromremote web server/personal computer to the smart medicine container (10)using the docking station. In case of multi unit docking station (140);the clock in the smart medicine container (10) in each unit issynchronized, preferably with the clock in the personal computer/webserver; to enable simultaneous dispensation of medicines from multiplesmart medicine containers (10) with identical dispensation schedule.According to another aspect; means is provided for user to enterpreferred dispensation times for various dispensation schedules (i.e.QDAY at 9 AM, BID at 9 AM and 6 PM, TIE) at 9 AM, 1 PM and 6 PM etc.)into the application in personal computer/web server. When smartmedicine container (10) units are housed in the docking station are incommunication link with personal computer/web server via the dockingstation (140); user selected dispensation times for differentdispensation schedules are uploaded into the smart medicine containerunits (10). Thereafter: the medicines contained in die smart medicinecontainer units (10) are dispensed according to prescribed dispensationschedule at corresponding preferred times selected by user. This featurealong with synchronization of the smart medicine container (10) andpersonal computer/web server clocks ensures that medications containedin multiple smart medicine container units (10) with identicaldispensation schedules are dispensed synchronously at preferred timecorresponding to prescribed dispensation schedule as selected by theuser.

1. A method of operating a medicine dispensing device, comprising:storing a first bulk supply of a first medicine in a first storagecontainer having a first discharge port; storing a second bulk supply ofa second medicine in a second storage container having a seconddischarge port; dispensing at least a portion of the first supply to acollection compartment; dispensing at least a portion of the secondsupply to the collection compartment; sending a communication from acontrol portion of the medicine dispensing device to an externalcommunication device to notify an external server of the identities ofthe first medicine and the second medicine; receiving a firstcommunication by the control portion from the external server; andnotifying a first user of potential drug interactions between the firstmedicine and the second medicine.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising notifying the user of intake instructions.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising permitting the user to access the collectioncompartment.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein dispensing at least aportion of the first supply is initiated by the control portion at afirst prescribed interval of time.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: storing a third bulk supply of a third medicine in a thirdstorage container having a third discharge port; dispensing at least aportion of the third supply to the collection compartment: and notifyingthe first user of potential drug interactions between the firstmedicine, the second medicine, and the third medicine.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the central server includes a readable medium includingmedical data relating to the first user.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising transmitting medical data relating to the first userto the central server.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:storing a fourth bulk supply of a fourth medicine in a fourth storagecontainer having a fourth discharge port; storing a fifth bulk supply ofa fifth medicine in a fifth storage container having a fifth dischargeport; dispensing at least a portion of the fourth supply to a collectioncompartment; dispensing at least a portion of the fifth supply to thecollection compartment; communicating with an external communicationdevice to notify an external server of the identities of the fourthmedicine and the fifth medicine; receiving a communication from theexternal server; and notifying a second user of potential druginteractions between the fourth medicine and the fifth medicine.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising notifying the first user of afirst side effect related to at least one of the first medicine and thesecond medicine.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprisingdetermining a first side effect attribute for the first side effectrelating to at least the first medicine and the first user, wherein thefirst side effect attribute is indicative of a probability that thefirst side effect is caused by the first medicine.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising: determining a second side effect attributefor a second side effect relating to at least the second medicine andthe first user, wherein the second side effect attribute is indicativeof a probability that the second side effect is caused by the secondmedicine; and determining a third side effect attribute for a third sideeffect relating to at least the third medicine and the first user,wherein the third side effect attribute is indicative of a probabilitythat the third side effect is caused by the third medicine.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising notifying the first user of atleast a portion of the side effect attributes.
 13. The method of claim11, further comprising calculating a cumulative side effect attributebased upon the determined side effect attributes.
 14. A method ofdetermining medication interaction comprising of; first dispensercontaining first user's first medication in communication link withremote server; second dispenser containing first user's secondmedication in communication link with remote server dispensertransmitting medication information contained therein to remote server:remote server containing medication interaction database and executableprogram; remote server determining medication interaction between thefirst and second medication.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein theremote server communicates medication interaction information to firstuser and additional users.
 16. A method of determining medication sideeffect comprising of; first dispenser containing first user's firstmedication in communication link with remote server; second dispensercontaining first user's second medication in communication link withremote server; dispenser transmitting medication information containedtherein to the remote server; first user entering clinical symptoms intoremote server; remote server containing medication side effect database;remote server containing executable program and determining probabilityof first user's clinical symptoms being medication side effect.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 wherein the remote server communicates medicationside effect probability information to first user and additional users.18. A method of determining medication side effect comprising of; firstdispenser containing first user's first medication in communication linkwith remote server; second dispenser containing first user's secondmedication in communication link with remote server; dispensertransmitting medication information to the remote server; patiententering clinical symptoms into remote server; remote server containingmedication side effect database; remote server containing executableprogram determining individual probability of user's first and secondmedication being causative of user's clinical symptom.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein medication side effect database includes incidence ofone more side effects associated with medications contained in thedatabase.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein medication side effectdatabase includes numerical representation reflective of the strength ofassociation of a side effect to corresponding medication.